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'I've been in all the finest garages in Fresno.' Jim Pardini honored at luncheon.

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Water in Yosemite is incredibly beautiful, but can be powerful and deadly. Sixteen people died in Yosemite's creeks and rivers between 2002 and 2011. One hiker shares his story of trying to cross a seemingly calm river. National Park Service

Water in Yosemite is incredibly beautiful, but can be powerful and deadly. Sixteen people died in Yosemite's creeks and rivers between 2002 and 2011. One hiker shares his story of trying to cross a seemingly calm river. National Park Service

Missing man who fell into Merced River in Yosemite is from Fresno, friends say

The man who fell into the Merced River in Yosemite National Park and is still missing has been identified by friends as Kevin Nelson, who lived and worked in Yosemite Valley but has strong ties to Fresno.

In Fresno, he was a bartender at the Daily Planet, Zapp’s Park and other nightclubs, said Mark Michel of Fresno, a friend from high school.

Parks officials informed Nelson’s family on Tuesday he was missing in the river, Michel said.

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'I've been in all the finest garages in Fresno.' Jim Pardini honored at luncheon.

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Yosemite Search and Rescue senior trainer Moose Mutlow tells you how you can survive an accidental slip into the swift, cold waters of the Sierra Nevada. NPS, Yosemite National Park

Michel said Nelson, 50, hiked the Mist Trail nearly every day. The water is running so swiftly that searchers can only search from the river bank and can’t go in the water, he said.

Nelson is a 1985 graduate of Kingsburg High who had “a love for life” that gained him legion of friends, Michel said.

“He was a friendly guy, always quick with a smile,” Michel said. “He’d buy you a drink, buy you a meal at the drop of a hat.”

As a bartender, if a customer had too much to drink he’d give him a ride home, Michel said.

Several years ago, he was a co-owner of Zapp’s Park nightclub.

“He got along with everyone,” said Pete Mejia, his former business partner at Zapp’s Park. “He grew up on a farm, he had respect for the workers. He was kind of a Renaissance person. He got along with everyone.”

He described Nelson as “very approachable, very talkative. And a good listener.”

Nelson also worked for a time for the Fresno County Department of Agriculture as a seasonal employee.

About four or five years ago, he moved to Yosemite Valley and worked for the park concessionaire.

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'I've been in all the finest garages in Fresno.' Jim Pardini honored at luncheon.

Fresno bus driver helps rescue girl from attacking man

Recent weather conditions and rising temperature have led to gushing waterfalls in Yosemite National Park. The waterfalls will peak sometime in May. Some of the seasonal falls will likely run until mid- to late summer, according to a park representative. Linda S. ZhangModesto Bee